Katelyn Ohashi Set to Compete at Senior U.S. Championships at 29

Return After a Seven‑Year Hiatus

After ending a seven‑year break from competition, Katelyn Ohashi heads to the U.S. Classic in Hartford on July 18, airing on NBCSN and Peacock. The 29‑year‑old aims to secure a spot at the Xfinity U.S. Championships slated for Aug. 6‑9 in Phoenix. She describes qualifying for championships as “the ultimate goal” for her upcoming meet.

Qualifying Hurdles at the U.S. Classic

To earn automatic qualification, Ohashi must combine a 26.80‑point total on balance beam and floor exercise at the Classic. Her most recent score from the American Classic on June 28 was 24.65 points, leaving a gap that she hopes to close. She envisions improving each event by roughly 1.1 points, a target she says is realistic given plans to raise her difficulty.

The pressure to meet that threshold is compounded by lingering fears from her time away. “I’m actually still terrified to do a back handspring,” she admitted, underscoring the mental side of her comeback. If she clears the mark, she would become the oldest woman to debut at the senior U.S. Championships in recent memory.

Historical Significance and Future Outlook

Ohashi’s potential appearance would mark a notable age milestone in women’s elite gymnastics, especially after a career already rich with early triumphs such as a junior all‑around title at 14 and a win over Simone Biles at 15. Her journey includes a 2013 American Cup victory, a shoulder surgery that halted her elite career, and a subsequent shift to NCAA competition with UCLA. Now, at 29, she reflects that “there isn’t really a ceiling in age.”

She cites the 2024 U.S. Olympic women’s team—four athletes in their 20s—as inspiration for rethinking age limits. While the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics is a pleasant thought, her primary focus remains personal growth and enjoyment. “I want to have fun with it,” Ohashi said, echoing a desire to see how far she can push herself without the pressure of a single endpoint.

Training and Preparation Details

Early in 2024, Ohashi recruited a personal trainer and began lifting weights four times a week for three hours each session. She relocated from San Jose back to her native Seattle area in January, committing to more serious training at Pacific Reign Gymnastics. This period is “probably the last few years for my body just to be able to hold up,” she noted, emphasizing the urgency of her current regimen.

Before the comeback announcement on June 24, she had stayed close to the sport by joining Biles’ Gold Over America Tour after the Tokyo and Paris Games. That exposure helped keep her technical skills sharp while she considered returning to elite competition. Her dedication now blends strength work, technical drills, and a willingness to experiment with new difficulties.